We learned this Zohar previously on Friday Bo. See the commentary written there. Here we will review the text with a simple explanation.

Rabbi Elazar said to his father: What do these three meals represent? Rabbi Shimon replied: Regarding Shabbat eve, as it is written: "And I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth."[hinting that the union/”riding” in this meal is connected with malchut/”earth”]. In this night the Matron is blessed and the whole field of apples [the lower three worlds of Beriya-Yetzira-Asiya], is also blessed, and the man's table is blessed and a soul is added. [Each person participating in the Shabbat receives a spiritual influx and elevation corresponding to the three stages of Shabbat, evening, morning and afternoon – here represented by the three meals.] This night signifies the rejoicing of the Matron, and therefore a man should rejoice and partake in the meal of the Matron. [The transfer of higher consciousness from Atika Kadisha is at the level of the “mouth” of Zeir Anpin and malchut “eats” joyfully from this abundance in the spiritual realms and we joyfully partake in the Shabbat evening meal in the physical world].

Concerning the second meal of Shabbat day, it is written: "Then shall you delight yourself in (lit. 'above')G‑d." Most assuredly "above G‑d," for at that hour Atika Kadisha reveals Himself and all the worlds are in joy [feeling this higher spiritual elevation beaming from Atika and being revealed in malchut]. And we, in participating in this meal, contribute to that joy and completeness of Atika (the Ancient One) for, assuredly, this is His meal.

Concerning the third meal of Shabbat, it is written: "And you will be fed from the heritage of Jacob your father." This is the meal of Zeir Anpin, who is then in perfection. [He rises to the level of the “beard” of Atik and is nourished from there.] From this meal all the six days receive their blessing. Therefore, a man must rejoice in these meals and complete his meals, for they are meals of the perfect Faith of the holy seed of Israel, the supernal Faith, which is theirs and not that of the heathen nations. Hence, it is written: "It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel". (Ex. 31:17)

BeRahamim LeHayyim:Why did the Ari and Chida include this section? What do they want us to learn?

A, B, C...1, 2, 3. We orient much of our lives based on Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis.

Two need a third to balance, as in the example of a stool requiring three legs. For a three-fold cord is not easily broken.

With the above three meals eaten with the above three intentions, we are promised perfection, completeness, and wholeness/sheleimut. When we contemplate our connection to G‑d at each meal, we too help to heal that aspect that needs spiritual nurture.

The Consort.
The Ancient Wisdom.
The Youthful Energy to carry over unto the weekday.

All contained in the 3 Shabbat meals.

What does the above mean to you, and why is it revealed for yet a second time here?

Bracketed annotations from Metok Midevash and Sulam commentaries
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